Rookie free agents

The 49ers signed some intriguing rookie free agents with West Virginia quarterback Jarrett Brown and Oregon running back LeGarrette Blount. Brown, in some ways, compares to Nate Davis. Both will struggle learning a NFL playbook, both have laser arms, and both will need patience from coaches to develop.

Brown, however, doesn’t possess Davis’s feel for the game. He tucks and runs too often and only started one season after sitting behind Pat White, who was drafted by the Dolphins a year ago. However, if a coach can highlight what Brown does well and eliminate his mistakes, they’ll have themselves a star. Blount put his anger management issues on national display, when he sucker punched Boise State defensive linemen Byron Hout in the Ducks opening-game loss. Blount was immediately suspended. However, Blount’s done everything right since then. In order to get re-instated, Blount was presented with a ladder of tasks that included work in the classroom and on his temper. He accomplished them all and eventually earned his way back onto the team.

Can LaGarrette Blount find a home with the 49ers?

He showcased his bulldozing running style at the Senior Bowl, at one point carrying half the South defense down to the one-inch line in the second quarter. That was after scoring on a 14-yard TD scamper in the first quarter behind two blocks from Mike Iupati. Blount got far more action in the game for the North squad than 49ers sixth round pick Anthony Dixon got for the South team.

Blount might be the better back. However, he failed to shine at the combine, lumbering the 40-yard dash in 4.81 seconds and he didn’t show much athleticism in drills. But the guy can play and he might possibly fit as a fullback.

The 49ers haven’t gotten much help from their rookie free agents over the last few seasons. Maybe this year, that will change.